One name that everyone will be keeping an eye on for the rest of January transfer window is Chloe Kelly, with the Manchester City striker facing an uncertain future at the Joie Stadium.
The 26-year-old is in the final six months of her contract and has yet to sign new terms with WSL who she joined from Everton in 2020. Limited playing time under Gareth Taylor this season has fueled speculation of a January move as Kelly faces a battle to keep his place in Sarina Wiegman England team ahead of Euro 2025 in Switzerland in July.
An increase in injuries in the frontal areas on City it could prove a significant stumbling block if Kelly requests a loan or a permanent move this month. Khadija Shaw, Lauren Hemp and Vivianne Miedema are among those who have had injury problems in recent months, although the latter returned from the bench at the weekend for City FA Cup victory over Ipswich Town.
In the win over Ipswich, Kelly started for the first time since the 3-2 triumph over St. Polteno u Champions League back in October and it was her first full 90 minutes since September. Overall, the winger has started just four times in all competitions this season, with just one of those coming in the WSL
If Kelly wants to move this month, 90 min has assessed and ranked potential destinations for the England international with one eye on the Euros on the horizon…
If it’s a short-term WSL loan, that would almost certainly rule out any team competing at the top of the table. Even if Kelly does not extend his stay at City, the last thing he will want to do is strengthen his direct rivals at such a crucial time in the campaign.
Tottenham have competition for places on the right side of attack, with Jess Naz also fighting for a place in the England squad. But Robert Vilahamn could have some extra firepower and the success of Grace Clinton’s loan move from Manchester United last season potentially makes the north London club an ideal destination for either player.
Kelly’s history as a former Arsenal player probably wouldn’t come into it.
Further down the ladder, Kelly could return to her former club Everton, with the proximity of Liverpool and Manchester meaning she probably shouldn’t be uprooted for a short-term move.
Brian Sorensen’s side are in desperate need of reinforcements for the second half of the season after a number of injuries, but have been the busiest of any club in the opening weeks of this window.
With four players already arriving at Walton Hall Park, including striker Kelly Gago from Nantes, it remains to be seen whether they will continue the rumored interest in Kelly.
Also on a short-term basis, Barcelona could enter the market this month. The holders of the Champions League recently confirmed the injury of the wide forward Caroline Graham Hansen, who is feeling discomfort in the muscles, but did not confirm the date of the return of the Norwegian representative.
Depending on the extent of Graham Hansen’s injury, Kelly’s loan move could ensure the F League giants remain competitive on all fronts for the rest of the season.
Former City team-mate Keira Walsh has called Barcelona home from 2022, while Lucy Bronze and Toni Duggan have also represented the club.
Elsewhere in Europe, Germany’s Wolfsburg remain one of the giants of the women’s game. Like Kelly, one of their stars, Jule Brand, is out of contract in the summer and faces an uncertain future.
The 22-year-old will be hard to replace and a potential departure could open up a place in Tommy Stroot’s squad. If Kelly’s move is on the table in January, Wolfsburg could get their own squad ready for the future before the summer.
Paris Saint-Germain’s reported interest in Kelly has waned in recent months after initial rumors last year indicated they were interested in the winger. However, they sought Mary Earps on a free transfer from Manchester United last summer, so they could repeat a similar trick when Kelly’s contract expires at the end of the campaign.
PSG star forward Marie-Antoinette Katoto is in the last few months of her own contract, so decisions will have to be made in Paris sooner rather than later.
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